DIRECTV Kick Starts the 4th of July Celebration with Songs of Praise for America Hosted by Darrell Waltrip and Natalie Grant to Debut June 30 Exclusively on DIRECTV

EL SEGUNDO, CA. (Top40 Charts/ DIRECTV) - DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television provider, adds a burst of patriotism to the programming line up with Songs of Praise for America, a musical celebration in honor of our nation's birthday. Hosted by NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip and Dove Award-winner Natalie Grant, the special will debut June 30 and run throughout the 4th of July holiday on DIRECTV's exclusive and inspirational Channel 103.

A follow-up to the tremendously popular Songs of Praise series debut last year, Songs of Praise for America will take viewers on a musical celebration surrounding the 4th of July. During the 60-minute special, DIRECTV viewers will be treated to Michael W. Smith's performance of There She Stands, Nicole C. Mullen's rendition of Freedom, and Mark Schultz singing Letters from War. The special will also include inspirational performances from the USMA Cadet Glee Club, Prestonwood Baptist Church Choir and the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. Throughout the program, viewers will watch everyday citizens share their memories of the holiday, and what it means to be an American.

'We're celebrating the 4th from sea to shining sea with performances from the nation's most inspirational artists and choirs,' said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. 'We've got Darrell Waltrip, Natalie Grant and some of the nation's finest servicemen to celebrate this great nation, and we're letting our customers join in the spectacular with an unprecedented five-day broadcast.'

Songs of Praise for America is part of an ongoing DIRECTV initiative to present more family-friendly and faith-based programming to DIRECTV subscribers. The special will air alongside Sunday Masses from Notre Dame on DIRECTV's Channel 103.

Songs of Praise for America is produced by DIRECTV Original Entertainment in conjunction with Propeller Consulting and Triple Horse Entertainment for broadcast exclusively on DIRECTV and is available at no additional cost to all DIRECTV subscribers.
For more information on the artists and choirs performing in Songs of Praise for America, please visit our website at www.directv.com/songsofpraise